Equipping Thoughts

Scripture
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen” (Revelation 1:5b-6).
Observation
John addresses 7 churches in the Asia region with an exhortation of who Christ is and has made them to be - a kingdom and priests to serve God. In such a prophetic book filled with visions beyond the wildest imagination, John roots the believer in the foundation of giving God glory because of who Jesus is and made us to be!
Application
In a world filled with self made kings who live self ruled lives, my life is called a kingdom whose heart is enthroned by a King…King Jesus! Once darkened by KING ME ruling the domain of MY LIFE, ways and will, MY kingdom was overturned by the entrance of a NEW KING. My heart is now called His Kingdom and I am called a priest who serves God.

Today, I am called to live differently as a Kingdom priest. It is my calling and duty to represent Him well as His priest. My heart is His Kingdom. I must not allow anything to darken the gates of my heart. I must set a diligent guard on my heart.
I sense the Lord saying to me - Guard against:
~ Inner lusts of my flesh to want what the “world” has.
~ Busyness & Working so hard that I work beyond/outside of His will.
~ Distractions of what’s going on in the “church” that I lose sensitivity to what is going on with people who need Jesus.
Prayer
Hi God - this word is right on target. Thanks for the specific application to guard my heart - which is your Kingdom. Please have a seat on the throne of my heart. Thanks for making my heart your Kingdom! Your presence is incredible in me. I love You Super Much!

A man came up to me and began to remind me as a teacher and speaker, to not lose sight of addressing the single people in our church. He said we emphasize marriage and marriage relationships - probably because all of our pastors are married. I was taken back. I have been insensitive to the needs of those who are single - whether divorced, young, older, going to college or retiring.

My title is appalling isn’t it? Of course singles can be single and successful!!!! Jesus was!

I gotta go to bed right now…but I’ll be back. It was my desire to just start this blog while I was reflecting on Mrs. Anonymous’ life.

Remember Mrs. Anonymous - the lonely married woman? Her prayers are being heard and answered!!

Thanks Mrs. Anonymous…for following up with your great report. God is real, alive, cares and loves us, and ANSWERS PRAYER!! Watch out husbands. God is listening to the prayers of lonely, hurting wives. They are His princesses - His daughters! Lonely ladies…be patient and enduring - DON’T GIVE UP!!

Here’s an excerpt from Mrs. Anonymous’ email.

Hi Pastor Rod, Its so God after I wrote that e-mail to you, on what woman want from a husband, all the things I listed started to happen in my marriage.

I know now that we have to invest in our marriage and honor this day we got married every year, Last year I forgot! Also, I looked at myself and God spoke to my heart that I have to honor my husband also, encourage and thank him for even little things he does and I don’t notice it or take it for granted. Also I need to be for real and see that I hate to say it, Spoiled! Die to self!

I have so much going on in my heart having been through the Willow Leadership Conference. The speakers were slam dunkin’ inspiring! I personally received from some more than others, but there was several themes God placed in my heart that I hope to not forget but rather live out.

BRING IT! This refers to an attitude, a way of thinking and a characteristic of a warrior. It can mean “bring it on or hit me with your best shot - I’m more than ready.” It can also be less confrontational - as in “deliver the goods - do what you say you are going to do.”

• Jesus brought it! He bought us and brought life to our lives.
• Jesus went! He went to the cross and the Father on our sinful behalf.
• Jesus did it! Obeyed His Father all the way, whole heartedly!

May we have the same attitude - let’s BRING IT! - bring our whole hearts and lives to worship and obey God!

• Let’s BRING IT! - our tenacious-fighting lives, against the schemes of our sin and the devil.
• Let’s BRING IT! - living our our Christ-likeness in ways that reach the hearts of people around us - to win them to the Lord.
• Let’s BRING IT! - giving our hearts and lives to God’s plans, purposes and priorities!

Jesus brought it - Let’s BRING IT!

I took one (of my many) challenges from my “Challenges” page to write some thoughts that came to me. Below is what I wrote last week…

The eyes of insecurity - Have you ever been in contact with a leader type, who talked the talk, seemed to be walking the talk - but when in conversation you ask a question that challenges their character - their eyes reveal insecurities? Yes, it can be hard to tell and we shouldn’t judge. But in relationship with people, you can discern something is up when their eyes are shifty, or they don’t look at you with a sincere confidence. Oh well, it’s challenging when I encounter people who aren’t honest with themselves and others in any situation where things need to be talked through or convictions discussed - and their eyes seem to reveal their insecurities.

So here are some of my added thoughts:

All of us have issues of insecurities. They stand up like spines on a porcupine when we are challenged or placed in situations out of our control or comfort zone. Since becoming a Christian, I have been growing IN SECURITY in who I am and who He has made me to be! My insecurities can be banished when I’m IN SECURITY in Christ!

Ephesians 1

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Here’s the second half of “Mrs. Anonymous’” email to me. This list prompted, provoked and promoted my heart to step it up as a husband. Mrs. Anonymous helped me to evaluate my role, call and practical ways to keep my Beckie as the apple of my heart!

I’m praying for all the Mrs. Anonymous’ out there! …and for the husbands who are neglecting their call, role and responsibilities - C’mon men - let’s get off our butts and live it up with our precious gift!!

Here’s the list…
7. Plan a vacation together for only the 2 of you for sometime when
you can go off together.